New York Jets beat Bengals, 26-14, as Jones scores three touchdowns

Chris Faytok/The Star-LedgerThomas Jones runs for a gain against the Bengals Sunday.

Brett Favre could laugh about it afterward.

His fumble on the opening possession of Sunday's game had been returned for a Cincinnati touchdown, and it took him three touchdown passes on the Jets' ensuing possession to officially get one.

"You're not going to go out there and throw six touchdowns every week," said Favre, referring to his career-high and franchise-record-tying performance two weeks ago.

Then he added with a chuckle, "You may throw three in one drive, which was different."

It was a bizarre start to a dangerous game against a winless team. But the Jets, even with Favre at nowhere near his best, still came through with a sloppy 26-14 victory against the Bengals.

"It was just one of those days," the quarterback said before providing his own spin. "I don't believe in ugly wins. A win is a win, and that one felt as good as any one I've been a part of."

Perhaps that's because. for the first time this season, the Jets had Favre's back -- picking up the slack for the future Hall of Famer.

Thomas Jones scored a career-high three touchdowns, rushing for two and catching one from Favre.

The defense held the Bengals, who were without quarterback Carson Palmer, to 171 yards of total offense, including only 43 yards rushing. Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked five times and pressured throughout the game, forcing a fumble that set up the Jets' second touchdown.

And kick returner Leon Washington put on a dazzling display to repeatedly give the Jets (3-2) great field position. Five times they started in Bengals' territory thanks largely to Washington -- who averaged 15.4 yards on five punt returns and 32.5 yards on two kickoffs -- and scored each time.

Still, the Jets left points on the field and made the game closer than it should've been.

"I wish we would've taken more advantage," said Jets receiver Laveranues Coles, who had eight catches for 81 yards and played with flu-like symptoms that had him coughing up blood after the game. "They're a good ballclub. I'd hate to be the team they put it together on."

Cincinnati (0-6) played tough against the Giants and the Cowboys before losing to each, but Palmer played in those games. Sunday an inflamed right elbow left him on the sideline and allowed the Jets to pick on Fitzpatrick.

While short-handed on offensive, the Bengals were able to stay close thanks to their defensive game plan. Determined not to get beat deep, Cincinnati forced Favre to throw short. He completed 25 of 33 passes but finished with just 189 yards and was intercepted twice near the goal line.

Favre repeatedly threw bubble screens to his wide receivers, and Jerricho Cotchery (eight catches, 85 yards) made defenders miss time and time again. He helped set up the Jets' first touchdown on a nifty 6-yard reception near the goal line. And he had a clutch third-down catch for 10 yards in the Jets' final, game-clinching drive late in the fourth quarter, when he made several defenders miss.

"They weren't going to let us get deep," Cotchery said. "They did a great job of keeping us in front of them. You just have to be patient and move the chains."

Thanks to Washington, they didn't have to move the chains very far.

After Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom blindsided Favre on the game's opening possession, forcing a fumble that safety Chinedum Ndukwe returned 15 yards for a touchdown, Washington jump-started things for the Jets.

He returned the ensuing kickoff 46 yards, and the Jets tied the score on a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jones after Favre had touchdown passes negated by penalties the previous two plays. Washington also had punts returns of 14 and 22 yards to help set up field goals and another return of 17 yards that helped set up the Jets' final touchdown.

"When you have trust between the returner and the guys up front, you can make plays," said Washington.

The defense also made its share of plays.

After being throttled for 35 points in the second half against the Cardinals two weeks ago, the Jets shut out the Bengals in the second half. They held wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh (seven catches, 49 yards) and Chad Johnson (five catches, 57 yards) in check all game, and running back Chris Perry had just 14 yards on 11 carries.

"I think we did a good job," said nose tackle Kris Jenkins, who had four tackles and plugged the middle. "We knew the past couple of weeks we had a little trouble in the second half and we wanted to take care of that.

"The defensive backs have been struggling, but I think they really stepped up this week."

In the weeks ahead, the Jets might well be in position to make their move. They travel to Oakland (1-4) Sunday and host the Chiefs (1-4) on Oct. 26.

"I think each week with this team there's a lot less doubt," said Favre. "I'm not going to say we're going to go on a winning spree. I'd like to think so. But I think there are some positive vibes taking place here and that's how you start winning."